Pope Francis has spoken in favour of an investigation into the accusation that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip in his forthcoming book, the Italian newspaper La Stampa reported on Sunday.
“According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of genocide. It should be carefully examined to see if it meets the technical definition formulated by jurists and international bodies,” La Stampa quoted the head of the Catholic Church as saying.
Israel is facing massive international criticism due to the large number of civilian victims in the Gaza Strip and the catastrophic shortages of aid supplies.
South Africa has brought a lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague for genocide.
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, also in the Hague, in May applied for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leaders, for the conduct of the war.
Israel has been bombarding the coastal strip since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry puts the death toll in the Gaza Strip at more than 43,000. The figure cannot be independently verified.
The book in which the pope made comments is title “Hope Never Disappoints. Pilgrims Towards a Better World.” It will be published in Italy on Tuesday.
